Reducing washing has emerged as a new trend among young men on the internet. These individuals, referred to as "stinkfluencers," claim that they can create more attraction for potential partners through natural scents. However, scientific evidence suggests that these claims lack the necessary scientific backing.
The Scientific Background of Pheromones
Pheromones, as chemical messages produced in the body of a specific species, naturally exist in the animal kingdom and play a significant role in attracting mates or marking territory. However, in humans, there is no conclusive evidence of pheromones that can elicit specific responses. Since the identification of the first pheromone in silkworms in 1959, research has shown that many animals respond to these chemical messages, but humans lack the necessary structures to receive these messages.
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Study Results and Challenges
In a study conducted in 1995, young men wore t-shirts for two nights without washing, and then women smelled the t-shirts. The results showed that women were more attracted to the scent of t-shirts worn by men with different MHC genes. These findings indicated that women could identify men with stronger immune systems through scent. However, more recent research has shown that these results are not replicable, and a meta-analysis in 2020 showed no overall effect in this area.
Since no pheromones have been identified in humans and the necessary structures to receive these messages are also absent, it seems that the claim of reducing washing to attract a partner is based on weak and unscientific foundations. In fact, natural body odor is initially not pleasant, and without washing, it produces an unpleasant smell due to bacterial activity.
Ultimately, while humans may find certain smells attractive, this is more due to positive associations and past experiences rather than the presence of pheromones. Therefore, using soap and deodorant not only helps improve body odor but is likely a better way to create attraction in human interactions.
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